Hey guys! Sorry for the wait, I had a few midterms this week. Anyways thanks reviewers! Though I've noticed people haven't been reviewing as much lately T_T. Thanks though Dreaming Haven and bluetonic4390! To Dreaming Haven: always nice to read your thoughts on my chapters, totally love long reviews LOL and I completely agree with you :) Sooo guys I'm switching things up a bit, but I hope you enjoy it. This is mainly a comedic chapter, so it might seem a bit filler but there are a couple important details here that will play a role in future chapters so :) Anyways I hope you enjoy the chapter and please leave a review! It means a lot to me :) (I know I say it every chapter, sorry for the redundancy, but I just love reading them!)
Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo, not me.
Chapter 11- Game Night
"Where are you taking me?!" Rukia demanded.
"You'll see soon enough. Don't worry we have a friend there waiting for you, hehe. I'm surprised nobody's noticed yet honestly."
Grimmjow opened up a tear in space, preparing to leave to Hueco Mundo with Rukia on his back, when suddenly she heard a voice from behind them say, "Just where the fuck do you think you're taking her?"
It was Ichigo in his bankai form. "Ichigo…" said Rukia.
"Rukia do I seriously have to save your ass AGAIN?"
"Shut up Ichigo! It's not like I was expecting this to happen!" Rukia said, annoyed.
"Grimmjow you better put her down right now," Ichigo said, his sword facing Grimmjow.
"Oh? Or what?" Grimmjow said, clearly amused.
"I will cut you down and take her by force."
"I'd like to see you try!"
"You…"
Suddenly Byakuya appeared out of thin air, getting ready to attack.
"Hey I had this under control!" yelled Ichigo.
"Get out of my way or I cannot guarantee your safety," Byakuya said, coolly.
Then Grimmjow held out his hand, a light forming. Shit it's a cero!
"Nii-sama! Ichigo!" she yelled out.
Ichigo was blasted into the side of a building, and ended up under a ton of rubble.
A moment later, another tear in space opened up and a man with green markings under his eyes showed up. Ulquiorra?
Ulquiorra then punched Grimmjow's jaw so hard that he dropped Rukia, and she landed on a rooftop. Clearly, Grimmjow was surprised by this.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing, Ulquiorra!?" said Grimmjow.
"What do you think YOU are doing? Aizen-sama has not ordered you to do this. Would you like to lose your arm again Grimmjow? This time I will ensure that the foolish girl doesn't heal you."
"You…"
Ulquiorra then grabbed Grimmjow by the collar, throwing him through the dimension gate. Byakuya then flashed over to Ulquiorra, ready to slice him to bits when Ulquiorra put his finger up, pointing towards Rukia.
"Decide whether you want to kill me or save her," he said, the cero forming about to blast Rukia away.
Byakuya immediately flashed over to Rukia, carrying her and out of the way of the cero, as Ulquiorra slipped away into the other dimension.
"Nii-sama! Are you alright?" asked Rukia.
"Rukia, what are you even doing out here by yourself? Were you not supposed to be with Lieutenant Matsumoto?" Byakuya asked, clearly angry though his tone of voice had not changed.
"Yes, but…"
Byakuya tried to take the ropes off Rukia, but they just wouldn't come off. He then tried to cut it with his sword, but that didn't work either. He narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out what kind of contraption this was exactly.
"Can you move, Rukia?" he asked.
"No, I can't Nii-sama. I don't know what this is, but I can't feel my arms or legs at all."
He then effortlessly picked up Rukia, bridal-style, causing Rukia to blush.
Ichigo finally got out of the rubble, panting, and was bleeding profusely.
"Ichigo!" Rukia called out, feeling kind of awkward that he was going to see her in her Nii-sama's arms like this. Byakuya didn't seem to care at all.
"Damn it! They got away?" He was furious. He then noticed how Byakuya was holding Rukia. He blinked a few times, as if a bit confused.
"Rukia, are you okay?"
"I...I'm kind of paralyzed for the moment."
"I'm sure Urahara will have something to help."
"Hmm.." Byakuya said, flashing away suddenly, catching Rukia by surprise.
"Hey! Wait up!" Ichigo called out behind them.
"Hmm...it seems to me like some sort of condensed and portable version of something similar to sekkiseki," said Kisuke Urahara, examining the ropes binding Rukia's hands.
"So does this mean I'm just going to be stuck like this?" Rukia asked, started to panic a little. It did not feel good to not be able to move your legs or arms at all.
"No, no, don't worry I'll take care of this. Can someone call over Uryu Ishida?"
Ichigo took out his phone and texted. "Alright he'll be here in five minutes. Damn it Rukia, seriously you are a magnet for trouble. I keep my eyes off you for five seconds and someone's about to abduct you."
"Shut up Ichigo!"
"He's actually right you know," said Renji, opening the door from the other room. Apparently he had been cleaning, because he had a broom in his hand. Urahara must've made him clean up to pay for letting him stay here. Rukia wanted to laugh at the sight, but her feelings of anxiety over her current state hadn't disappeared yet.
"Well I wasn't expecting that to happen."
"What were you even doing there? Weren't you supposed to be with Matsumoto?"
Byakuya was now looking at her, also waiting for a response.
"Look, guys, it was just a small Hollow my tracker picked up, I told Rangiku I could handle it. And I did. But Grimmjow literally appeared out of thin air."
"Question is, why was he planning to take you with him, instead of just killing you right there?" Urahara asked, rubbing his chin.
"I have no idea." Rukia said.
"I don't think you should be hanging around alone Rukia. I think they're targeting you for some reason," said Ichigo.
"Yeah way to state the obvious ," said Renji.
Uryu finally showed up, and Urahara filled him in with all the details quickly.
"Rukia, you should be more careful," said Uryu.
"I will, I will," said Rukia sick of hearing it for like the hundredth time.
"Ishida, I'm going to need one of your arrows," said Urahara.
"What for?" asked Uryu, confused.
"I believe the properties in your arrows could help me get rid of the ropes binding Rukia."
"How would that work?"
"Stop asking questions, boy, and do as you're told,"Byakuya said in an icy tone. Rukia gulped.
"Okay, then. For Rukia." Uryu said, clearly a bit frightened but doing his best to hide it.
Urahara took the arrow that Uryu produced, dipping it in some weird liquid and then slashed off the ropes on Rukia. Damn that was fast.
"What is that, Urahara-san?" asked Rukia, curious.
"I simply took the properties of the Quincy arrow, dipped it in shinigami blood mixed with various poisons and ta-dah."
"Poisons?" asked Uryu, suddenly fascinated about the mechanisms behind it.
"Shinigami blood?! Whose blood?" Ichigo said.
"Now, now those details don't matter," Urahara said, waving it off. "Ishida, I will need more of your arrows to create something so if you would please join me in that room to help out?"
"Uh, sure. But only if you tell me exactly how this works," said Uryu, his nerdy side coming out.
They left the room. Rukia was finally able to move again, and it felt so great.
"I'm not sure if you should stay with Rangiku-san," said Renji.
"Renji, it's not her fault, I told her specifically not to follow me."
"I agree with Abarai," said Byakuya.
"Huh?"
"Yeah, so why don't you just stay here? With me," said Renji.
"I don't think that's necessary."
"He's right Rukia. Stay here." Byakuya responded.
"Well...okay then I guess."
"Please try not to get kidnapped again, Rukia. It's getting kind of exhausting having to save you every time," Ichigo said.
"Oh shut up!" said Rukia, as she threw a book at him, which whacked him over the head.
"Oww! You damn shortie psycho!"
"Who you calling short!? I can kick your ass any day, Ichigo, and you know it!"
"Guys, seriously?" said Renji. Byakuya also cleared his throat, clearly not enjoying the bickering.
Ichigo and Rukia stopped their squabbling and all the other members of Soul Society showed up minutes later.
"Rukia!" Rangiku-san came running to Rukia, squishing her with her typical hug.
"Rangiku-san..can't breathe…" Rukia said.
"Oh sorry!~ Girl I was so worried about you! Ichigo texted us so we all came right away! Are you okay? This is why I didn't want to let you go alone!"
"Yes, you shouldn't have let her go alone," said Renji.
"I know, I know. I feel terrible! You don't have to rub it in, Renji."
"It's not your fault, they just came out of nowhere. That other small Hollow was nothing for me." Rukia said.
"I was just so worried about you dear."
"I know, I'm sorry," said Rukia.
~~
"Alright everyone, so that's what's happening," said Urahara. He had just explained the incident with Rukia and the mechanisms behind his new creation which he called "Anti-Trapper". It was basically a bracelet with an arrow tip laced with whatever he had given Rukia earlier. He made one for everyone and passed them out.
"Now, this should shield you against whatever they're using to paralyze you, so make sure you don't lose it!" said Urahara.
"Alright~~I'm guessing we can finally start fighting now?" Ikkaku said, cracking his knuckles.
"I'm ready to fight as well," said Yumichika, running his hands through his hair.
"Umm-well we are still working on the portal for safe travel so you'll not be going tonight," said Urahara, laughing awkwardly.
"Seriously?! How long is it going to take you?!" said Ikkaku, clearly annoyed.
"Let me show you something," said Urahara. Taking out a weird seal from a drawer, he then led everyone to the training grounds beneath his shop.
He then twisted the seal and held it up in the air, letting it go. The seal then activated, and it opened up what looked like the path to Hueco Mundo. He then asked Ururu to bring the toy, to which the young girl quickly brought him some plushie teddy bear. Urahara threw the plushie into the portal and it burned into flames instantly, until there was nothing left.
"See that everyone? It's not safe," said Yoruichi.
"Heh, that is nothing I can't handle," said Kenpachi.
"It won't kill souls at your level no, but do you think you will be at your strongest when you do get to Aizen's place? Strong enough both to defeat the Arrancars and Aizen himself? I don't think so," Yoruichi said.
"You talk too much, woman," Kenpachi said, but backing down because he knew she was right.
"All we're saying is give us just two more days and we will come up with something that ensures your powers will not be inhibited once you enter there," said Urahara. "Now come on, let's go back up."
Everyone grumbled but went back upstairs.
"Luckily, I brought some drinks with me guys!" said Rangiku bringing out a plastic bag with all sorts of liquor.
"Well, better than doing nothing I guess," said Ikkaku, grabbing a bottle.
~~
"Alright, let's play now everyone!" said Rangiku. She had just explained the rules of "Never have I ever" to the entire group. Oddly enough, everyone seemed pretty excited to play. Probably because it involved drinking. Byakuya however, refused to participate in this silliness and just sat off to the side, reading some random manga about "shinigami" that was in the shop. This was a very amusing sight to Rukia, but she decided to play the games with everyone else. Rukia was afraid to drink after the last incident that occurred in her drunken state, but Rangiku and the others begged her to join them, and she finally gave in to the peer pressure. Oh fuck it, why not?
"Rukia, you probably shouldn't drink," said Byakuya.
"Uhh…" Rukia blushed.
"Kuchiki-taicho! Come on, we're just having some fun. We're all friends here, so it's all good. Why don't you join us too?"
"No thank you," he said, going back to reading his book.
"Okay, I'm starting! Never have I ever...had more than ten drinks at once!" said Rangiku.
No one drank except for Yoruichi.
"Damnnn sista!" yelled out Rangiku, and then having a shot herself, blatantly ignoring the game's rules. Typical of her.
"Never have I ever...looked truly ugly," said Yumichika, causing everyone to give him an "are you serious" look.
"I think all we ladies can drink to that for sure!" Rangiku said, winking. Almost everyone did, including Rukia.
Seeing as how Renji was about to have a drink, Yumichika quickly said, "I don't think you've understood the rules properly, Lieutenant Abarai. Only people that are beautiful can drink."
"Are you calling me ugly!? Watch it, pretty boy, or I'll make you look real ugly right now," said Renji, cracking his knuckles.
"Oh yeah? We'll see about that."
"Shut up right now! It's my turn," said Kenpachi in such a way that made both of them not say another word.
"Never have I ever...gouged out someone's eyeballs and crushed their skull with just my bare hands...though I hope to someday hehe," said Kenpachi. Everyone looked at him like wide-eyed in shock and nobody drank to that.
Ichigo then said, "What the fuck? Wasn't that in Game of Thrones or something?"
"Yes, I've been watching it on what they call the "TV" in my room. The fights are absolutely amazing, I'd like to fight the Mountain man myself at least once in my life," Kenpachi said, grinning.
"You know that's all fake, right?!" Ichigo said.
"Can't fake strength like that," Kenpachi said. Ichigo gave up trying to explain.
They played a few rounds and pretty much everyone was slightly drunk at this point, and it was Rangiku's turn once again.
"Never have I ever...kissed a man I truly loved," she said.
Rukia drank to that and clearly she was not in her right mind, because she knew Byakuya was watching the game at this point.
"Oooo Rukia who was it?" Yoruichi asked playfully.
"It'sh a shecret…" said Rukia, the liquor clearly getting to her. She knew people were probably staring at her but didn't really care.
"Yoruichi-san, you shouldn't be asking people those kinds of things," said Urahara, taking out his fan.
"HA," she said taking another drink, "Never have I ever...had a sex dream where I was the submissive one."
Rukia drank to that, catching a lot of people by surprise, but when asked she would just laugh and say that "it wash a shecret".
~Byakuya~
The next game was Truth or Dare. Half the people there were already pretty much passed out. Matsumoto was clearly out of her mind, because when Rukia picked Dare, she asked her to do something completely ridiculous in front of everyone.
"I dare you to kiss Kuchiki-taicho! On the lips!"
"This is madness, do not get me involved in this," said Byakuya. Is she crazy!?
"You have to do it Rukia! You picked Dare!" yelled out Rangiku.
"I don't know... if I...if I should do that.." said Rukia, clearly feeling lost and confused.
"Oh come on! It's just a damn kiss!" said Yoruichi. She flashed over so quickly to Byakuya, that not even he had any idea of what was about to take place.
"See? Muuuahhh," said Yoruichi as she leaned forward and kissed him full on the lips. Everyone was now looking at them in utter shock and Byakuya was so completely mortified that he pushed her away immediately and without thinking yelled out, "You crazy cat monster just what do you think you're doing?!"
Yoruichi backed away, laughing uncontrollably while Byakuya was fuming. He then realized that everybody was staring at him, because they'd never seen him lose his temper like that and he cleared his throat before saying, "Try something like that again, Yoruichi Shihoin, and I will make sure you regret it." Damn it I let her get to me!
"Yoruichi-san, I think it's bed time for you now," said Urahara starting to drag her away when suddenly Rukia, with a newfound confidence, said, "Don't you...you dare... do that again, Byakuyash mine and only mine!" and she started crawling towards Byakuya, settling herself in his lap as everyone was shocked once more, including Byakuya himself. The Kurosaki kid was completely confused at first but must've hit some sort of realization, because he now just had his typical look of arrogance. Abarai on the other hand looked absolutely furious, but he did not do anything. Yet.
"Rukia, what are you doing?" Byakuya calmly asked her.
"I want to stay right here with you," and then turning around to everyone else, "nobody but me! Me... gets to even touch my Byakuya-shama, undershtand?"
She was starting to slur her words and behave the way she was that day with the elders. She is clearly drunk. Rukia, damn it stop this will look weird to everyone!
Byakuya didn't know what the fuck to do, because Rukia clinging onto him like this was not appropriate behavior but he couldn't exactly tell the girl to keep her distance; she was not in her right mind. So he was actually pretty grateful for what Matsumoto did next.
"It's just a kiss guys, not a big deal," she said grabbing Captain Hitsugaya's face and pulling it towards hers, "see this?"
She gave him just a peck on the lips, and her captain instantly became as red as a beet root.
"Matsumoto!" He yelled out, enraged. "Have you lost your mind!?" The poor boy. I can actually relate to him this once.
"Hehehe~sorry Taicho," she said laughing it off.
Everyone now shifted their attention towards Matsumoto and Captain Hitsugaya, completely fascinated by the night's turn of events.
Rukia was still in his lap, her arms hugging around Byakuya's neck. I should just take her with me.
He lifted her up effortlessly. Such a tiny thing she is…
He started walking towards the door to exit, when his lieutenant suddenly appeared in front of him, clearly angry at what had occurred.
"She should stay with me, Taicho," said Abarai, trying to take her from Byakuya's arms.
"NOOO…"Rukia yelled out, tightening her grip on Byakuya. "I wanna stay with my Byakuya-go away!"
Renji looked at her like she had just slapped him. Byakuya was pleased at this.
"It appears she'll be staying with me for tonight. Good night," Byakuya said, smiling, as he whisked Rukia away to hotel. Serves him right, how dare he try to take her from me…
~~
He had left the window to his room open earlier, because he went out looking for Rukia as he sensed the dimension gate open again. And of course she had nearly been kidnapped. But for what reason would they take her? I'm glad the orange-haired idiot was there...what if I hadn't been able to arrive before they took her away?
He took her towards the bed and she started talking. "Byakuya?"
"Yes?"
"I love you," she said with her drunken smile. It made his heart skip a beat to hear those words from her.
"I know," he said.
"I love you shooo much. Love you the mossssht in the whole wide worllldd…," then starting to sound a bit sad, "but you don't love me…"
He put her down on the bed, tucking her in. Her hair was all over her face, so he moved some strands aside, and said, "Of course I love you too."
"Really?" her face totally lit up.
"Yes, really." He smiled. He just couldn't help it, she was just too damn adorable.
"Yay! You have a very beautiful smile, you know? So smile more, okay?"
He brought over a glass of water and made her drink. "Now get some rest, Rukia."
"Mm..okay. I will if you sleep next to me!" she said, spreading her arms out wide as if inviting him to hug her.
"Rukia, that's not appropriate." She started to frown. "Alright, fine. Just this once."
Putting the glass on top of the table, he climbed into bed with her, and she curled up on him as if he were some giant comfortable pillow. She fell asleep almost instantly, and Byakuya was now left alone with his thoughts.
She's so drunk...I'll have to reprimand her later for behavior this evening. He then thought back to how she drank to kissing the man she loved...and to having a sex dream where she had been the submissive one. Does she dream about me too? Byakuya felt his cheeks warm up, and shook his head, trying to stop the undoubtedly improper thoughts from penetrating his mind.
Rukia moved a bit, and nuzzled up against him.
Why do I feel so glad just because she's here with me? Because she said she loves me while drunk? Byakuya knew he shouldn't stay in bed with her like this, that he should get up now since she was already fast asleep. I will get up soon...Just a moment longer I wish to stay like this, he thought to himself while shutting his eyes, feeling...happy, an emotion he had not felt in a very long time.
Omake:
Kenpachi had finally figured out how to work this TV thing, after asking the room service man to show him, multiple times. The guy didn't complain though, probably not wanting to anger somebody who straight up looked like some version of the Hulk.
"Ken-chan, what are we going to watch?" Yachiru said, nibbling on some chocolate.
"Hmm.. '#1 Trending: Game of Thrones'. Let's watch this." He hit play, and he heard knocking on the door so went to get it.
"Surprise! We're bored so we're going to join you guys! Haha," said Rangiku. Rangiku along with Rukia, Yumichika, Ikkaku, and even Toshiro and Byakuya showed up. Rangiku brought drinks and popcorn.
Everyone spread out in the room, Rukia and Rangiku together on the bed, Yumichika and Ikkaku together next to it, and Toshiro and Byakuya sitting separately at different corners of the room on chairs.
A fight was taking place and Kenpachi and Yachiru were cheering while everyone else just watched quietly. Five minutes later, there was a sex scene. Rukia and Byakuya looked at each other for a moment, blushing and both looking away immediately. Rangiku ran over to Hitsugaya, covering his eyes and saying, "You're too young for this Taicho! It's not for kids!"
"Matsumoto! I'm not a child!" He yelled, swatting away her hands, wanting to get a good look at the screen.
Everyone else just felt super awkward, and thankfully Yachiru left to get some more candy. Rangiku though was totally enjoying the scene.
"Oh damn he's hot, I'd definitely do him," she said, laughing.
Kenpachi must've felt super weird because he turned off the TV. "Alright party's over, get out everyone."
"Nooo...alright, party over in my room then! Rukia come on!"
Byakuya said, "I will not be joining you."
Rangiku shrugged. "Alright then. Rukia call Renji over!"
At this Byakuya freaked out, "Never mind I will come. My lieutenant can't because... he's busy...on an assignment."
Renji was cleaning at Urahara's shop.
"This is totally unfair! Why am I the only one who has to do chores around here?!" Renji yelled out, frustrated.
"How can anyone say that after stuffing themselves like a pig…" Ururu muttered as she walked by.
"Fuck my life," said Renji to himself, sweeping away the floors like Cinderella.
Alright that's it for this chapter guys! I know it was kind of weird, throwing in some comedy here, but what I love about Bleach is that it has amazing comedy bits and bonding moments despite being a pretty serious action show for the main part. I know this seemed like a pretty filler type chapter but I hope you enjoyed it, I just thought it would be nice to make it kind of funny because it's been pretty serious for the most part; I also love how Byakuya and Yoruichi used to interact back when they were younger, seems like something straight out of a rom-com except Yoruichi acts more like the guy XD. Anyways, the omake (extra) is kind of random and I was debating about whether or not to publish it along with this chapter, but then I was like ehh whatever, might as well. I don't know if I'm making it a thing for every chapter (most likely not) but maybe I'll throw in one here and there, if you guys would like that. So review and let me know! As always praise and constructive criticism both accepted! I will try to update soon and don't worry if you hated the feel of this chapter, things will be getting pretty serious after one or two chapters anyways, I just thought it would be good to give our pairing some time together, and have the whole group just have a good time before they go off to fight :) - Love from cggirl3